BEHIND THE NUMBERS
How this calculation works
Convert each entry to annual value using 52 weekly, 26 fortnightly, 13 four-weekly, 12 monthly or 4 quarterly payments. Monthly average = annual value ÷ 12. Available balance = income − expenses − planned savings.
Worked example
Annual income £28,800, rent £10,800, food £5,200 and savings £2,400 leave £10,400 a year, or £866.67 a month.
Example result: £866.67
Four-weekly is not monthly
A four-weekly payment happens 13 times in this budgeting year. Treating it as monthly would leave out one whole payment.
Allow for irregular costs
Use the annual frequency for insurance, repairs or a holiday allowance. A monthly average helps you reserve money without implying that the bill is actually due every month.
Assumptions and rounding
- Weekly frequencies use a 52-week budgeting year.
- Savings are allocated separately from spending. Monthly figures are rounded only for display.
Questions about this calculator
Should I enter gross salary?
Use the amount you actually receive after deductions.
What if the result is negative?
The planned outgoings exceed income on average. Review individual rows and their frequencies before deciding which costs to change.